Analysis of oligoclonal antibody bands against individual HIV structural proteins in the CSF of patients infected with HIV.

Intrathecal antibody responses to HIV were investigated by a highly sensitive immunoblot assay. Serum and CSF specimens were tested for reactivity with the recombinant HIV gag proteins p15, p17 and p24 and with the recombinant transmembrane protein p41. Autochthonous production of virus-specific IgG to one or more HIV structural proteins was seen in 8 of 10 asymptomatic seropositive subjects, in 3 of 4 men with AIDS-related complex, and in 9 of 13 patients with AIDS. These results were consonant with an elevated CSF/serum antibody ratio to total HIV antigen. The high frequency of local HIV-specific antibody synthesis in seropositive individuals without related clinical symptoms indicates an early involvement of the CNS in HIV infections.